By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The federal lawmaker that represented Kaduna Central at the 8th senate, Senator Shehu Sani has reminded that nobody escorted President Buhari to Court for his election legal battles since 2003 like Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Dr Ogbonaya Onu.
Shehu Sani disclosed this via his twitter handle shortly after Onu declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Nicon Luxury hotel yesterday in Abuja.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had in his interview months back said that he would not mention the name of his preferred candidate so that he will not be killed ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Sundiata Post recalls that Dr Onu had in his declaration speech tagged: “Call For Service”, said that the “Almighty God has been kind to our nation. He blessed us in very spectacular ways. There is hardly any mineral of importance that we do not have in commercial quantities in the country. He blessed us with abundance of sunshine, many rivers, fertile soil, good weather, very intelligent men and women and placed us at the center of Africa, nearly of equal distance between the North and South as well as the East and West”.
“Nigeria has a rich past, made up of great empires and kingdoms that contributed immensely to ancient civilization.
In the words of our former National Anthem: “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”. It is in the oneness, unity and brotherhood of the nation, that Alhaji Umaru Altine from then Northern Region won election as Mayor of Enugu, the Capital City of then Eastern Region of the country. Chief Felix Okonkwo from then Eastern Region served in the House of Chiefs of then Northern Region. Late Governor Adeleke’s father from Osun State, former Western Region, who worked in Enugu, married his wife from Ukwa in Abia State. Senator Ike O.S. Nwachukwu’s father from then Eastern Region, who worked in the then Northern Region, married his wife from the royal family in Katsina Emirate.”
“It is in furtherance of the spirit of brotherhood of all Nigerians that during my tenure as the First Elected Governor of Old Abia State that I promoted national unity by pronouncing the abolishment of the State of Origin Syndrome and hence appointed several non-indigenes of the State into key positions of responsibility in my Administration.”
“As a nationalist and a detribalized Nigerian, I pursued policies that helped make people from other States feel at home and be welcome in Abia State. It is also at that time, that a Nigerian from another State was elected as Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area (LGA). Even one of the most important Market Associations in the State, was at that time led by a Nigerian from another State.”
“Since Abians lived in all parts of the country, I travelled to all States of the Federation encouraging them to participate actively in nation building and promoting peaceful coexistence.”
“I, as well, made a strong case for the promotion of enduring peace and mutual co-existence between communities in Nigeria that share common border with sister African countries. This was a way of reducing tension so as to check the propensity for crisis in those areas.”
“This contribution played a major role in influencing the establishment of the Border Communities Development Agency by the Federal Government of Nigeria”.
“On assumption of office as the First Elected Governor of Old Abia State, the rate of violent crime including armed robbery, in the newly created State, was very high. Hardly could anyone travel from Umuahia to Aba in the night, without being attacked by armed robbers. Working with both the security agencies and community leaders, security was restored in the State. The achievement was so remarkable that the then Inspector General of Police, who was fully aware of the serious security challenges faced by the State, gave an unprecedented two letters of commendation, in one year, to the Abia State Police Command, Abia State remained peaceful and secure during my tenure in office.”
“I vigorously pursued the philosophy of excellence through the introduction of Abia Dream, so as to encourage all Abians, young or old, male or female to be the best in whatever they do.”
“I promoted the rule of law by emphasizing transparency, discipline and punctuality in the conduct of government business. This had profound effect in the State, as the Head of National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) commended the Abia State Government for conducting leakage-free Examinations in the State at a time that examination malpractice in our schools was rampant.”
“We also invested heavily in sports development in Abia State. It was important that our young people were given the opportunity to exploit to the fullest their potential in this vital area of human endeavor. All these efforts paid off such that Enyimba Football Club, which would have been relegated to the 3″ Division, made history in 1993, by becoming the first football club to move from Division Two, to a contending force in the First Division league table with the highest goal aggregate of over 58”.
“As a visionary leader, I showed an uncommon level of vision in wanting to make Abia State the Japan of Nigeria. I initiated and started the implementation of the IBB Technology Village in the State. This was to promote science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in the young State, by providing the necessary for off sourcing of jobs from companies and corporations in North America and Europe. It is remarkable that this effort was made before the United States of America (USA) introduced computers into their public schools.”
“These efforts were aimed at preparing Abians to compete effectively with the rest of the world 1n the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I promoted girl child education by the award of scholarship to female science students, who got admission to tertiary institutions in Abia State.”
